After seven years on the beat, the show’s over for Detective Lily Rush (Kathryn Morris). CBS has officially cancelled Cold Case.
Each episode of Cold Case begins by showing an unsolved crime from the past. The scene then flashes forward to the present day and a group of homicide detectives try to piece together what really happened, using old evidence and new interviews. The series stars Morris, Danny Pino, John Finn, Jeremy Ratchford, Thom Barry, and Tracie Thoms.
Cold Case began in September of 2003 and quickly became a staple of the CBS Sunday night schedule. The crime drama had a successful first season and, by season two, was averaging a 3.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 15.1 million viewers. For the next couple seasons, total viewership fell a bit but the all-important demo numbers rose, reaching a 3.8 in season four.
Unfortunately the ratings have come down quite a bit since then. In season five, the show averaged a 2.9 rating and about 12 million viewers. Last season, Cold Case sank lower, to an average of a 2.7 rating and CBS made a choice between renewing ailing Without a Trace or Cold Case. They chose to keep Cold Case but may have regretted it pretty quickly. This season, the show’s ratings dropped even further to a 2.15 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 9.6 million viewers.
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So, while the overall viewership isn’t terrible, the demo numbers are and that’s what brings the ad dollars. CBS often has the most total viewers, but they are often lacking in the 18-49 demo department.
To no surprise, CBS has cancelled Cold Case after seven years on the air. The show won’t be back for season eight next fall. Sadly, the show is not available on DVD. It’s believed that securing the rights for the show’s extensive use of period music is problematic.
What do you think? Are you sorry to see the series go? What could have been done to help the TV show’s ratings?
Image courtesy CBS.
I love this show. It is so different than other police shows and I love the way the personal lives of the stars are integrated into the plot. Katherine Morris and Danny Pino are great.
At this time I am going away to do my breakfast, once having my breakfast coming yet
again to read further news.
Yes please bring it back. I’ve enjoyed the show since it first aired, the characters and the storylines i miss them so much.
Bring it back please. Love the characters and the story line
i am still shocked this show left the air please bring it back
Folks, I believe we can bring Cold Case back on or before the holidays 2014, contact Netflix and/or Fox Studios however you can and state your interest.
Netflix now has its own studios and into making new or bringing back cancelled television shows from other networks, and Fox loves to take original ideas and bank off it…let’s make it happen with or without Jerry Bruckheimer! I prefer with.
T
an unusual crime.. emotional touches hearts .. wonderful selected musics.. our favorite detectives.. and gorgeous lilly rush.. I wish cbs or another network bring back cold case.
This is an excellent program. I did not know this show existed before ION put it on reruns. I cannot watch enough, and wish it would come back. Not many programs can get to me emotionally as this one. The episodes around the 60’s bring back lots of memories. The music is a nice touch. While there at it, bring House back also!
my boyfriend and i watch it every week. we love this show. we’ve only seen it for the past year but we want to see more. if its not going to have more episodes than it should come out on DVD even if it’s a limited time sell.
I have been watching this show for the last year(reruns) with my son… We just finished our last episode. So sad ;(
Plain and simple I want cold case to come back. So please cbs bring back cold case. There are so many people watching it now and im sure the viewers now and the viewers from when it was aired before would so watch it. So again please bring back cold case. Who ever is with me should post a comment and maybe cbs will see how many viewers the show will have. You never now it might work!
I completely agree. I watched the show from the beginning and never missed an episode unless I had to work. I loved the story lines, the characters, the music…the entire package. I even cried when the characters were hurting or got injured. Almost like people addicted to daytime soap operas, I talked about all of the main characters as if I actually knew them. I’m addicted to watching the reruns, but I would love to have my show back. I think the show has probably gained a bigger following since it was cancelled and CBS should reconsider.
I never saw this show while it was on CBS, but I have had the opportunity to see it on ION TV and I love the show. This show keeps me glued to the television and always leaves me wanting more. I truly hope to be able to buy the episodes on DVD very soon.
I just started watching this show this year, cause my mom was watching & I can’t get enough, I am addicted! !
cold case need to come back i think that lilly’s sister christina baby is scotty plz come back
Researching why Cold Case was cancelled due to the lower ratings each subsequent year is understandable; however, with time there is change. What I mean is that viewers/audience can change the dynamics of tv ratings. Those who may not have watched Cold Case from its beginning, are watching it now, as viewers interest in particular series change with their taste, and so do demographics. I think the 18-49 demographics threw-off ratings because so many of the episodes went back in time to the 1950s, 60s, etc. 18-49 year olds would have a much harder time relating to those time periods… Read more »